Title:

Sense Transference

Problem Scenario:
Most humans depend on their sense of touch for daily tasks. If you take that sense away, there could be a significant change in how long it takes to do something, how you do something, or the ability to do something you could or couldn't do before.

Broad Question:

Does the human brain find an alternative solution to replace one of the "5 senses" when taking one away?

Specific Question:

Will removing a person's sense of touch sensitize the other senses?

If a person is given a "touch test" while their hands are numb, will they be able to do less with their hands?

Hypothesis:

If I remove the subjects' sense of touch, then he/she will not be able to perform regular tasks

Graph of Hypothesis:

Variables:

Independent Variable:

order of tests

Dependent Variable:

results

Variables That Need To Be Controlled:

ice, tests,

Vocabulary List That Needs Explanation

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General Plan:

I plan to take 5 students aside and conduct the experiment. Each person will be asked to freeze their hands and do some everyday tasks. I will record their results

Potential Problems And Solutions:

Some subjects might have a history of arthritis- ask

Safety Or Environmental Concerns:

None besides a minor paper cut.

Experimental Design

(add the correct headings from the experimental design page before beginning)

Resources and Budget Table

Item	Number needed	Where I will get this	Cost
Frozen beaker of water	1	Class	free
Phone	1	Home	free
Puzzle	1	Home	free
Paper	5	Anywhere	free

Detailed Procedure

Each subject will be asked to hold ice cubes for 45 seconds. Then, I will ask them to use my phone to text a constant message, which will be timed. Then they will be asked to make a paper airplane, which will also be timed. Last of all, they will asked to do a simple 60 piece puzzle, which will also be timed. I will record and graph all final results.

Diagram

Photo List

Time Line:

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Data Table

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Data Analysis

All Raw Data

Graphs

Photos

Results

Conclusion

Discussion

Benefit to Community and/or Science:

Studying the senses could bring an outbreak in modern science

Background Research:

Sense Transference is the brains way to use neurons to control the rest of the body to do certain tasks. According to Wikipedia, "Senses are physiological capacities of organisms that provide data for perception." The brain uses this perception of its environment and adapts accordingly with the environment. The main tool for adaptation in every single environment for all organisms is their ability to sense whats around them. For example: When its cold, your body shivers to create more kinetic energy and helps keep the body temperature constant. Whereas when your hot, you sweat to cool down your body from your pores, also a form of adaptation. Most animals also undergo similar processes to keep stimuli.

Some organisms are more keen in the other senses or more dull in specific processes. Humans, for example, normally have a weak sense of smell. A bat has close to or no eyesight. Fish can't feel what's around them physically to use to their advantage. Ants have barely any hearing ability. Most dolphins also can't taste. Even though these animals have some impaired senses, which takes place of the normal sense. Example : bats barely have any eyesight, and since they are nocturnal, all the much harder for moving from point a to point b. As the bat should, it adapts to its environment by using sound waves in a form of radar. Even though bats lack sight, hearing makes up for it, which scientists proved more useful than actual sight for nocturnal mammals.

But there are more than "5 senses" though. The "5 senses" are also known as the primary senses. The secondary senses, used also by most animals, are balance, acceleration, kinesthetic sense, and sense of temperature. These senses are also used as a substitute for other senses that doesn't work as well. For example: since reptiles are cold-blooded, they use their sense of temperature to accumulate heat to adapt in all environments.

References:

wikipedia.com

Abstract